Biocultural approach of the association between maturity and physical activity in youth

• Published in: Jornal de pediatria 2018-11, Vol.94 (6), p.658-665
• Main Authors: Werneck, André O., Silva, Danilo R., Collings, Paul J., Fernandes, Rômulo A., Ronque, Enio R.V., Coelho-e-Silva, Manuel J., Sardinha, Luís B., Cyrino, Edilson S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adiposity - physiology; Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - physiology; Adolescent Development - physiology; Adolescente; Age Factors; Atividade motora; Brazil; Cardiorespiratory Fitness - physiology; Child; Child Behavior - physiology; Criança; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cultural Characteristics; Exercise - physiology; Exercise - psychology; Female; Humans; Leisure Activities; Male; Maturação; Maturity; Models, Biological; Motor activity; PEDIATRICS; Sadness - physiology; Self Concept; Sex Factors; Social Skills
• ISSN: 0021-7557; 1678-4782; 1678-4782
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jped.2017.09.008

To test the biocultural model through direct and indirect associations between biological maturation, adiposity, cardiorespiratory fitness, feelings of sadness, social relationships, and physical activity in adolescents. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 1,152 Brazilian adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years. Somatic maturation was estimated through Mirwald's method (peak height velocity). Physical activity was assessed through Baecke questionnaire (occupational, leisure, and sport contexts). Body mass index, body fat (sum of skinfolds), cardiorespiratory fitness (20-m shuttle run test), self-perceptions of social relationship, and frequency of sadness feelings were obtained for statistical modeling. Somatic maturation is directly related to sport practice and leisure time physical activity only among girls (β=0.12, p